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Boston Children's Museum

Address: 308 Congress Street
Pricing: Adults, $12; Seniors, Kids 1-15, $9
Phone: 617-426-6500
Hours: Sat-Thurs, 10am-5pm; Fri, 10am-9pm
How To Get There:
From the East (Logan Airport and Route 1A): Take I-90 West Exit #25, “South Boston”. At end of ramp proceed straight onto B Street. At the next set of lights take a left onto Seaport Boulevard. At the third set of lights take a left onto Sleeper Street. The Museum is the building on the right. For parking, at the end of Sleeper Street take a left onto Congress Street.
Parking:
$10-$13 w/ museum validation at local lots
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Boston Children’s Museum: "Do Not Touch" signs prohibited here!

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Feb 21, 2010

The world’s second oldest children’s museum and now in its 97th year, the Boston Children’s Museum is recognized globally as a research hub and trendsetter for children's exhibitions and educational programs. Boston Children’s Museum focuses its efforts on visitor programs, teacher resources and early childhood education.

Founded in 1913 by Boston teachers, the museum virtually invented the concept of interactive learning. From the development of a working model of Boston’s water system, to the accomplishments of director Michael Spock (1962-1985), son of renowned pediatrician Dr. Benjamin Spock, the museum has revolutionized the traditional museum experience. He even eliminated the use of "Do Not Touch" signs throughout the museum!

Today, the Boston Children's Museum integrates two strategies – engaging families and building communities – into five focus areas: Creative Kids, Curious Kids, Global Kids, Green Kids and Healthy Kids. In April 2007, the museum completed work on a $47 million expansion project, which added a 23,000-square-foot glass-walled entrance, a new theater, new exhibits, and a newly landscaped park.

Permanent exhibits include an “Arthur and Friends” area; art studio; “Boston Black,” focusing on the area’s African-American community; a common play spot; global exhibits gallery; “Japanese House,” a home imported from Boston’s Japanese sister city, Kyoto; a kids’ stage; and a new three-story climbing complex.

The Hood Milk Bottle outside of the museum is a popular ice cream stand and snack bar. It has been located on this spot since April 20, 1977, when owner and milk producer H.P. Hood shipped the bottle by ferry to Boston Harbor. Its white siding is used to showcase films during warmer months.

Current temporary exhibits feature PBS Kids’ character Curious George; “Another Side of In,” an interactive, art exhibit involving sound, light and movement; and “Top Secret: Mission Toy, “ an exploration of dolls and balls, robots, puzzles and secret de-coding devices.

HelloBoston tips: To get in for just a few hours and for only $1, visit from 5 pm to 9 pm on Friday evenings. Otherwise, try to visit on weekdays after about 1:30 pm if you’re trying to avoid crowds. And check the museum web site for timely events, teacher resources and visitor information.



- by Jim Brown , Boston Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Jim Brown

Jim Brown is a longtime freelance aviation, travel and destination writer and communications professional. A former reporter for Aviation Daily, Air Safety Week and World Airline News, Jim served for more than 15 years as a senior public relations executive for American Airlines, TWA and AirTran Airways.
"We employ our own Local professional journalists (not bloggers) to give you an accurate hyperlocal story"







 

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Click Images To Enlarge
The Boston Children's Museum is the second oldest such museum in the world, having opened in 1913 by a group of dedicated Boston teachers. (Photo courtesy Boston Children's Museum)
The Boston Children's Museum underwent a $47 million expansion and renovation in 2006 that added a new entrance, a new theater, new exhibits, and a newly landscaped park. (Photo courtesy Boston Children's Museum)
PBS Kids character Arthur greets visitors to the Boston Children's Museum, located on Children's Wharf at Boston's Fort Point Channel. (Photo courtesy Boston Children's Museum)
Boston Children's Museum will often sponsor special learning activities, such as this rocket building workshop held during Engineering Week. (Photo courtesy Boston Children's Museum)
"Show and Tell" takes on a new meaning when it comes from a collection of more than 50,000 items at the Boston Children's Museum. (Photo courtesy Boston Children's Museum)
The Hood Milk Bottle, given to the Boston Children's Museum by milk producer H.P. Hood in 1977, is a popular place for ice cream and movie viewing. (Photo courtesy Boston Children's Museum)




 



     
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